Though only a freshman, 6-foot-8 forward Billy Preston is a starter and a key player for the Braves. JEFF GRITCHEN, LONG BEACH REGISTER

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La Mirada's Dezmon Murphy is surrounded by Downey defenders in the third place game of the North Orange County Championships Saturday ROD VEAL, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Cerritos' Brandon Yoon, center, fights for a loose ball between Gahr's Malachi Hoosein, left, and Gregory Carlyle during a basketball game between Cerritos and Gahr at Cerritos on Friday. CARLOS DELGADO, FOR THE REGISTER

Lynwood's Rasheed Cox shoots an easy layup after Locke's defender falls to the ground during Jordan High's annual showcase at Long Beach City College on Saturday afternoon ADAM OTTKE, FOR THE REGISTER

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Mayfair's CJ Walker, left, and Dillon Reise get tangled up with Compton's Zeno Lake on a rebound during Tuesday's Pac Shores Tournament game at Redondo Union High School. MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, FOR THE REGISTER

Their rosters filled with high-level college-bound recruits, highly touted St. John Bosco and Kendall Small-led Mayfair earned their share of headlines during December.

But a number of other teams outside the Moore League had strong Decembers and look capable of challenging for or winning league titles in the next six weeks, and there are at least a half-dozen area schools that could make some noise in the CIF-Southern Section’s many divisions and even the CIF-State playoffs.

Perennially solid Downey looks like the favorite in the San Gabriel Valley League, but should face strong competition from several schools, including Lynwood and Gahr. Although not the most physically talented team in the area, Downey’s achievements early in the season include a win over Mayfair and warrant a high ranking.

Mayfair could be challenged by the likes of La Mirada and perhaps even much-improved Artesia in the Suburban League. Among the smaller schools, L.A. City Section newcomer Rancho Dominguez Prep and Santa Fe League power St. Anthony appear capable of playoff runs.

Here’s a look at the area’s top 10 teams outside the Moore League. The rankings are based on December achievements, raw talent and the school’s potential to be a factor in the playoffs. Mayfair (9-5), Bosco (8-5) and St. Anthony (3-6) were previewed previously.

1. Mayfair Monsoons (9-5)

Coach: Tony Davis, seventh season (148-47)

2012-13 record: 20-15, 11-1 Suburban League.

2012-13 postseason: Lost 2nd round 1AA playoffs.

Excerpt from Dec. 12 preview by Jim Thomas: Mayfair High coach Tony Davis has won six consecutive Suburban League boys basketball championships since 2007. There's no reason to believe he can't stretch that impressive streak to 8-for-8 the next two years now that talented junior point guard Kendall Small has joined the program. Indeed, it's possible the best could be yet to come for Mayfair, which won a CIF-SS 2A title in 2011-12 but last year competed in the tougher 1AA division … The 6-foot, 170-pound Small is already a proven talent. “He has a chance to be as good as anyone we've had here at Mayfair,” Davis said. That's a sizable statement considering Mayfair turned out Josh Childress “He's a very good player.”

2. St. John Bosco (9-5)

Coach: Derrick Taylor, third season (57-20)

2012-13 record: 24-7, 8-2 Trinity League.

2012-13 postseason: Won 3A Championship, lost to Poly in state quarterfinals .

Excerpt from Dec. 16 preview by Jake Kaplan: he defending CIF-Southern Section Division 3A champions feature a lineup littered with future Division I players, highlighted by Daniel Hamilton, a University of Connecticut-bound senior, and one of the nation's top junior guards in Tyler Dorsey. (They) are the top returners from last year's championship team … The Braves gained a plethora of talent in freshman Billy Preston and transfers Vance Jackson and Lorne Currie. “The team is really young. We were just getting to know each other,” said Hamilton. “We'll just continue to get better as we play with each other.”

3. Downey (11-4)

Coach: Larry Shelton, 27th season (372-261).

2012-13 record: 16-11, 7-3 in San Gabriel Valley

2012-13 postseason: Lost in first round of 1AA playoffs.

The Vikings, winners of the SGVL in 2011-12 and second-place last year, look like the favorites to take the league championship for the third time in four years. They beat Mayfair and La Mirada in December and were competitive in losses to tough programs. “It’s going to be a challenge, as it always is,” said Shelton, who enters his 26th year at Downey with a 372-261 record. “But we’re happy with our start. We’ve showed we can play with most teams. We’re not afraid of anyone.”

Senior guard Sal Carlos leads the Vikings with a 17.5-point scoring average while pulling down six rebounds a game. Six-foot-3 senior forward Jacob Garcia is the other team leader, averaging about 15 points and six rebounds. “Sal is a tremendous shooter, with a scorer’s mentality,” Shelton said. “Jacob gives us offense and he’s an outstanding rebounder and defender.”

The Vikings aren’t big and lack a true center. Their tallest player is just 6-foot-3. But this year’s team is deep. Junior Jeraun Richards and senior Jose Gonzalez are capable all-around players. “We have a little more depth than we’ve had recently,” Shelton said.

4. Los Alamitos (11-4)

Coach: Eddie Courtmarche, 4th season (66-36).

2012-13 record: 18-11, 6-4 in Sunset League.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in 1st round of 1AA playoffs.

The Griffins have been a strong contender in the Sunset League since Eddie Courtmarche took over in 2011 and this year appears to be no different. The Griffins suffered one-sided losses to La Mirada and Canyon of Anaheim, but otherwise have been solid in December.

Senior guard Khalid Washington, a 6-4 all-around player averaging 14.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, leads the Griffins. Junior Jack Kaub, a 6-foot-6 forward, helps Washington on the boards. Sophomore guard Eyassu Worku (12/3.3 assists) complements Washington in the backcourt. Senior guard Bryan Igboke and junior forward Ryan Kusch also have made significant contributions. Edison, off to a 12-2 start, appears to be the Sunset League favorite.

5. La Mirada (8-7)

Coach: Bryce Jones, third season (42-31).

2012-13 record: 17-12, 10-2 in Suburban.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in first round of 3A playoffs.

Ranked No. 4 in the CIF-SS 3A Division, the Matadores tailed off at the end of the month, losing three of their last four games, but the potential to challenge for the Suburban League title is still there. They start a sophomore (6-foot-3 Vitorrio Reynoso-Avila) and two juniors, one being 6-foot-8 Kendall Lauderdale, who could be a dominant force in league. “Mayfair is still far and away the favorite in our league, but we’re very young and we still have some room for improve,’’ Jones said. ``We’re not where we need to be in terms of execution, but we can get there.”

Lauderdale and 6-6 junior Dezmon Murphy (8.5/7.3) give the Matadores a strong frontcourt. Reynoso-Avila is averaging 16 points per and soph point guard Anthony Newman give the Matadores hope for this season and next. Lucio Bolado averages almost six assists, while fellow senior James Eubanks provides strong leadership and all-around play.

“This is probably our best team since I’ve been here,” said Jones, who is in his third year at the school. “We’re still young. We hope we’re going in the right direction.”

6. Artesia (11-2)

Coach: Ray Walker, second season (20-21)

2012-13 record: 9-18, 4-8 in Suburban

2012-13 postseason: Lost in 1st round of 3A playoffs.

It remains to be seen if Artesia’s fast start is the result of a soft schedule, but to this point the Pioneers are vastly improved and worthy of top-10 consideration. The Pioneers won the Garden Grove and Downey Calvary Chapel tournaments – both taking the title games in the final seconds.

“It’s night and day,” coach Ray Walker said. “We are a much better team from last year. Our schedule is not the strongest, but we’ve been playing well. In our division (3A) I feel we’re a legitimate top-10 team.”

“It’s kind of fun what’s been happening on campus,” Walker said. “They haven’t had great success in a long time. All of our games have been close and we’re winning. Everyone’s pretty excited.”

7. Lynwood (7-7)

Coach: Gary Lenoir, second season (22-18).

2012-13 record: 15-11, 5-5 in San Gabriel Valley.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in 1st round of 2AA.

As Lenoir readily admits, the Knight weren’t as good in December as they hoped to be, but they finished strong, winning two games at the Seahawk Classic, to build some momentum going into league. The team started to come together in mid-December and, armed with three players in the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8 range, looks like a threat to take the league title. “I still feel very confident with our team,” Lenoir said. “Looking at our division I see us growing and growing.”

Growing is an appropriate word. Senior center Dashawn Hill is 6-foot-7 and just starting to put it together after an early-season injury. He’s averaging about eight rebounds a game. Zack Christian and Eric Boose, two 6-foot-6 juniors, add strength to the frontcourt. Guard Kevin Miller is a team leader averaging almost 16 points per and point guard Latrell Upshaw is averaging 10.

“Talent-wise, we’re definitely better than we were last year, but that team had more experience,” Lenoir said. “We just need more experience to reach our potential.”

8. Rancho Dominguez Prep (8-4)

Coach: Jonathan “Spoon” Chaney, second season (23-9).

2012-13 record: 15-5, 10-0 in Crosstown.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in semifinals of L.A. City Division.

Chaney and the Long Beach-based Lobos have made great strides in just their second year. They are ranked No. 1 in their division and 19th overall in the L.A. City Section. They recently defeated respected City basketball programs San Pedro and Banning and gave Narbonne a good game in the Pirate Shootout Championship game.

Senior center William Brooks, listed at 7-feet, leads the Lobos with a 16.9 scoring average to go with 14 rebounds and eight blocks a game. Junior Brian Simmons averages about 13 points a game from the guard spot. Guard Key’on Johnson has looked good to scouts while averaging double figures in assists. Junior forward Jaylin Bass and 6-8 sophomore Keith Fisher III are starting to come on as well.

“We’re a redemption team,” said Chaney, a 17-year coach well known on the AAU circuit who went to Poly. “Our roster includes a lot of kids who are looking to finish off their high school career right. We’ve made a lot of strides in December.”

9. Gahr (7-8)

Coach: Ricky Roper, 4th season (65-40).

2012-13 record: 14-13, 5-5 SGVL.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in 1st round of 1A playoffs.

The Gladiators had a rough December, losing a combined six games at the Torrey Pines and North Orange County Championships. But those are strong tournaments and the general consensus is the Gladiators remain a dangerous team led by one of the area’s top players in senior Malachi Hoosein, who is averaging 27 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

The problem is that Hoosein is the team’s only senior and there have been growing pains. The Carlyle twins, Jeremy and Gregory, are juniors both averaging 11.9 points. Jeremy’s all-around numbers include 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. Darrell Harris and sophomore Evan Anderson are making contributions

“It looks like Downey is the team to beat, but our league historically is very balanced and very tough,” Roper said. “We are very fast, but young, and we’re learning.”

10. St. Anthony (3-6)

Coach: Eric Cooper, second season (20-15).

2012-13 record: 15-8, won Santa Fe League.

2012-13 postseason: Lost in 4A quarterfinals.

Excerpt from Dec. 26 preview by Jim Thomas: “We have more potential than last year,” said senior Alex Nailes. “We have all the talent you need. The main thing at this point is winning the last nine games of the season.’’ Nine games is the number of games a school would play if it advances to the state championship game in its division … he Saints have the talent and depth to make coach Eric Cooper's second season memorable. Two transfers – versatile 6-foot-5 senior Dontae Caldwell (Saddleback Valley Christian) and 6-9 junior center/forward LaRond Williams (Poly) – raise the Saints' potential considerably. Then there's 6-foot-8, 200-pound junior Jonathan Ross, who should be much improved after a promising sophomore season … Miles Oliver, a 6-foot freshman, could be a future star at point guard, and senior guard Jared Allen is the son of former UCLA and NBA star Lucius Allen.

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